Early Childhood Teachers

Our Early Childhood Teachers engage our youngest students in a play-based approach to learning and exploration, which incorporates the children’s interests as well as their individual needs when planning short and long term activities. Our teachers appreciate the whole child and promote an open dialogue with students so they can identify their own passions and contribute their own ideas.

Preschool

• Sarah Howell

  BA, Psychology

  MA, Early Childhood Special Education

  sarah.howell@du.edu

  My name is Sarah Howell. I have been in the EC at Ricks since 2017. I have a BA in Psychology and a MA in Early Childhood Special Education. My studies mainly focused on Child Psych/Development and Cognitive Neuroscience, specifically in ages 0-5. I love to stay up to date on current research. My favorite topics to read about are maternal brain changes during pregnancy and postpartum, attachment theory, and best teaching practices, specifically around literacy. My masters capstone project focused on under-representation of twice exceptional students in gifted education programs. When I am not at school, I am spending time with my family. My fiancé and I have a 4 year old named Aleah, and 2 dogs named Gus and Morty. I enjoy cooking, taking the occasional nap, reading, self-care, and spending quality time with my daughter.

• Liberty Tyus

  BSBA Marketing, University of Denver 

  Liberty.Tyus@du.edu

  Liberty Tyus has been working with children all her life and loves teaching. She graduated from DU in 2024 with a degree in Marketing + Minor in Spanish. She worked at Rick's as a Substitute Teacher in the Winter and Spring of 2025 and worked at Fisher Early Learning center as an Associate Teacher over the Summer. From crocheting to scrapbooking to painting, she loves to craft! Swimming is her favorite way to exercise, but hiking is a close second. As a former gifted student herself, seeing her impact on the lives of children and families is what she looks forward to every year. 

Pre-Kindergarten

• Mary Franklin

  BA, American Studies & Elementary Education

  MLS, Library & Information Science; CO Licensure w/ endorsements in Elementary & ECE

  Mary.Franklin@du.edu

  Mary relocated to Colorado in 2022 from her hometown of Washington, DC when she began teaching at Ricks. She has worked in Early Childhood classrooms since 2009, both in teaching and administrative roles at schools in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington state in both play-based and nature-based school settings before joining the Ricks team. Mary studied education, liberal arts, and youth-focused library science at Muhlenberg College and the University of Maryland, and incorporates her interest in diverse children's literature, social-emotional learning, and nature into the classroom. She strongly believes that play, joy, a sense of community, and wonder are the foundation to a successful early childhood classroom. Mary loves being part of the Ricks community at DU and is passionate about building a classroom in which our gifted population is able to explore their areas of interest and hone strengths while also challenging themselves and trying things that feel hard with confidence. In her free time, Mary enjoys traveling, cooking, visiting wacky roadside attractions, reading, and appreciating the beauty of the natural world.

• Shavon Glasper

  Shavon.Glasper@du.edu

  Ms. Sha’von Glasper has taught pre-kindergarten at Ricks for several years and has worked with children for over 20 years. She is trained in project-based and social-emotional learning through her early childhood coursework. Her deep love for children inspires her to continually seek opportunities to expand her knowledge and understanding of early learners.

  A Colorado native, Sha’von lives with her husband, daughter (who will begin at DU next year), and their two cats. She loves music and finds joy in inspiring others to be their best in all they do. Her warm yet structured approach brings balance and comfort to her classroom, while helping children build strong communication skills and confidence in their learning environment.

• Mary Gilmore

  BA Phycology

  MA Curriculum and Instruction

  Mary.Gilmore@du.edu

  My name is Mary Gilmore.  I am very pleased to be the new Pre K teacher at Ricks.  I have been employed in early childhood education since 1989.   I have my  BA in Psychology from the University of Denver. I have my MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver. I have found that Early Childhood Education is the most rewarding job imaginable.  I love to sing and dance with children. I like to help families with the beginning of their child first school experience. I have two daughters who have both attended DU. My father was a professor at DU as well. I'm looking forward to being part of the Ricks school community.

• Lexi Beller

  BA, History and Classical Studies - Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations (in progress)

  Lexi.Beller@du.edu

  Ms. Lexi has eight years of experience working with kids of all ages, from volunteering as a teenager, to now, professionally in schools and summer camps. She loves spending time with children and helping them explore and grow as they learn to navigate the world. Ms. Lexi understands gifted students well, as she was identified as gifted at a young age and thrived in a gifted program during her years in school. She is passionate about nurturing these kids' unique strengths and talents! Outside of teaching, Ms. Lexi loves to dance, play guitar, draw, and camp in the beauty of Colorado.

Kindergarten

• Morgan Friedman

  MA, Education and Human Development

  BS, Human Development and Family Sciences

  Morgan.Friedman@du.edu

  Ms. Morgan's teaching philosophy is rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach, and she is passionate about leading with the heart, cultivating a caring community, and using project-based learning to engage students. Ms. Morgan believes that every child enters the classroom full of strength, curiosity, and big ideas about how the world works. Early childhood is a time to explore those ideas through meaningful play, hands-on discovery, and joyful learning. Ms. Morgan uses children’s questions, observations, and unique identities to help shape the learning experiences of the class.

  Originally from St. Louis, Ms. Morgan moved to Colorado in 2016 and loves spending time playing with her golden retriever, Sadie, hiking, skiing, and reading.

• Maddie Schumann

  BA History, University of Denver

  BA Anthropology, University of Denver

  Minor Leadership Studies

  Maddie.Schumann@du.edu

  Maddie began working at Ricks in 2019 as a freshman student aide. She grew up in Littleton, Colorado, and earned her BA’s in History and Anthropology at the University of Denver. Beyond Ricks, she has taught at the History Colorado Center and the Denver Art Museum. Outside of the classroom, she loves to create art, explore the outdoors, cook, and introduce those passions to students. She also loves to spend time with her boyfriend and her family.